Medical Assistant Schools & Programs in Arizona

If you're interested in learning more about medical assistant programs in Arizona, there are a variety different program options to consider—including diplomas, certificates and degree programs.

Besides the warm weather, want to know a major reason to pursue a medical assisting career in Arizona? Well, it happens to rank in the top five states in the U.S. with the highest location quoitent of medical assistant jobs![i] Before we get into education information for medical assistants in Arizona, we thought you’d be interested to learn some general education information about the state...

Arizona General Education Information and Data[vii]

There are 46 four year institutions in Arizona, compared to the national average of 56

There are 38 two year institutions, which is higher than the national average of 33!

The national average for total male fall enrollment is 171,951 and Arizona is above average with $305, 782 male students

And, female fall enrollment in Arizona is 522, 849—easily surpassing (and almost doubling) the national average of 228,592!

F.A.Q.'s for Medical Assistants in Arizona

What are the medical assisting job and earning statistics from Arizona?

There are currently 2,320 medical assistants employed in Arizona[i].

There are 18,580 projected jobs by 2022, which is a 37% increase and approximately 760 annual job openings.[ii]

The annual mean 10th percentile wage for medical assistants in Arizona is $19,790[i].

The hourly mean 10th percentile wage is $13.02[i].

Where do medical assistants work?

Medical assistants usually work in physician's offices, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. They perform administrative and clinical tasks that involve working with patients, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. Did you know Arizona boasts several hospitals ranked by U.S. News and World Report? The Mayo Clinic is even ranked nationally for 12 specialties, including #9 and #16 for Gastroenterology & GI Surgery and Geriatrics, respectively.

Top 5 Regionally Ranked Hospitals in Arizona:

Mayo Clinic

Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center

Banner - University Medical Center Tucson

St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center

Flagstaff Medical Center

What salary information is available for specific metro areas of Arizona?

The highest (90%) and lowest (10%) annual mean salary for medical assistants in each of these metro areas is as follows:[i]

Metro Area

Lowest 10th% Salary

Highest 90th% Salary

Flagstaff, AZ

$24,650

$42,560

Lake Havasu City - Kingman, AZ

$21,430

$36,860

Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ

$24,010

$41,020

Prescott, AZ

$23,430

$37,030

Tucson, AZ

$21,380

$38,980

Yuma, AZ

$19,590

$36,070

What is the annual mean 10th percentile wage for other health related fields in Arizona?

Pharmacy Technician: $20,000[iii]

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): $18,300[iv]

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): $16,540[v]

Medical Billing & Coding: $21,060[vi]

How do I earn a medical assistant certification in Arizona?

While medical assistants are not required to be certified, many employers may prefer to hire someone who has earned a certification or degree in medical assisting. It is typical for medical assistants to pursue graduation from postsecondary education programs, and medical assisting programs in Arizona are available from community colleges, vocational schools, technical schools, and universities. These programs usually lead to a certificate or diploma.The National Commission for Certifying Agencies accredits five certifications for medical assistants.

Below are a few related fields that do require state licensure:

Physical Therapist Assistant[viii]: Certification is necessary via the Physical Therapy Board of Arizona. Certification by exam has many requirements including but not limited to: an official transcript/letter with the signature of registrar of your university or college; verification that used passed a national examination for physical therapist assistants; and verification you passed a jurisprudence exam. There is also the option to gain certification by endorsement, which has a different set of requirements.

Radiologist Assistant[ix]: Certification is required through the Arizona Medical Radiologic Technology Board of Examiner. Some of the major certification requirements include that: you are at least 18 years old; you’ve earned a bachelor’s or graduate certificate that encompasses a nationally-recognized radiologist assistant curriculum and includes a radiologist-directed clinical preceptorship. The initial certification fee is $60.

Dental Hygienist[x]: Licensure is required via the Arizona Board of Dental Examiners. You can apply for licensure by exam or by certification. The major requirements for the exam include passing the Arizona Revised Statues (Laws) and Arizona Code (Rules) jurisprudence exam (with fee of $100), passage of Western Regional Board exam within 5 years of application for licensure, current CPR certification, Dental Hygiene School Transcript, National Board Scorecard, Letter of Endorsement and a self-query from National Practitioner Data bank if you were ever licensed in another state. Certification requirements can be found here: http://www.careeronestop.org/explorecareers/find-licenses.aspx?keyword=Dental%20assistant&direct=0&ajax=0&location=04&licenseid=04-21.

What medical assisting professional organizations are there in Arizona?

Once you’ve graduated from a medical assistant school in AZ, you may want to consider joining a professional medical assistant organization. It can be a great way for you network and learn about continuing education and job opportunities. The AMT Arizona State Society gives members access to regional meetings and events, networking and professional development, and important information on how to stay certified. You can find more info on their website here: http://www.americanmedtech.org/BeInvolved/StateSocieties/Arizona.aspx.

If you’ve decided that you want to enhance your education to help you pursue a career as a medical assistant, the list below contains some great medical assisting schools in Arizona. While you may not be required to earn a medical assisting degree or licensure, please keep in mind that certain employers may prefer to hire candidates who have completed medical assisting programs.